Crossrail threatens to bring the downfall of Soho's old Star café

The Star: Reported a 40 per cent drop in customers since work on Crossrail started

The owner of a Soho café that was used to illustrate the problems inflicted on small businesses by the Crossrail project said he may be forced to close.

The Star has reported a 40 per cent drop in customers since work on Crossrail started there 14 months ago which Mario Forte puts down to the narrowing of the street and poor signage on hoardings.

Naming it at a meeting with Crossrail, Westminster council officials urged project directors to do more to rectify the problems inflicted on business owners. Mr Forte, 76, owner of the café, which has been in Great Chapel Street since 1933, said business had been "dramatically affected" by the works.

He said: "They secluded us from anywhere else in the area by putting hoarding outside. I don't know how long I'll be able to continue. Crossrail's not due to be completed until 2017. There's a lack of co-operation between Westminster and Crossrail."

Crossrail insisted that it has been working hard to make the work as painless as possible for businesses and residents and that it would continue to work with the council.